We’re SudetyRaport, your favorite rap plug, and we welcome you to our massive list of the TOP 100 best rap albums of 2023. You may be wondering why we’re releasing the list a little late. The answer is simple: We didn’t want to rush anything. We heard over a thousand albums that came out last year (yes, really over a thousand), from which we carefully selected the top 100. We always try to delve into the depths of the genre and explore all the nooks and crannies of rap. Throughout the year, we give underground artists, rap stars who rule the charts, and newcomers a chance. All of the albums that have dazzled us the most this year have been given a fair re-listen before we compile the list. We listened to both the most well-known albums and the albums you send us via DMs. It was really challenging to choose only 100 albums. We could have expanded the ranking to two hundred projects on the spot, and they would still have been absolutely top-notch albums. You’ll find both LPs and shorter projects in the list. We only had one rule when compiling the list: each rapper can only have one record on the list, unless it is a collaboration with another rapper. Producers are not restricted. It’s just not possible to fit all the amazing artists who regularly release great records and push the genre forward into one chart. That’s why every Monday we publish our Rap Weekly, where we write about the best of the rap scene. If your album didn’t make the list, don’t despair; we appreciate every artist, and it’s quite possible that we gave you a spot in Rap Weekly. Take the rankings with a grain of salt; every single artist on our list deserves a huge amount of respect. We’re also putting together a playlist of the best tracks of the year, featuring some of the purest gems from records that may not have made the list. Let’s not delay any longer, and let’s dive into the depths of rap’s best. Peace.
100. Fatboi Sharif a steel tipped dove – Decay
You don’t know what Avant-Garde is. Fatboi Sharif and steel tipped dove will introduce you to it. Postmodern rap, modernity, digital chaos, Dadaism, decay. Two artists who are pushing the boundaries of the genre with their every work have teamed up under the auspices of renowned label Backwoodz Studioz to release their opus Decay. Forget everything you know about rap, the record lives in its own world where there are no rules. Fatboi Sharif has an immeasurable number of unique projects to his credit. The albums Gandhi Loves Children, Preaching In Havana, and Planet Unfaithful are shining examples. On this project, however, he has gone a step further and created his most elaborate world to date, full of nightmares and strange timelessness, where ancient history and the distant future come together. Fatboi’s world is apocalyptic and more reminiscent of Lovecraft books, 70s horror films, and movies like Gummo and Tetsuo: The Iron Man than gangster movies. Fatboi’s lyrics are absolutely breathtaking, and his voice is hypnotic. Moreover, the destroyer of all conventions keeps rapping better and better, so we hope he will win over a whole new audience with Decay.
The steel tipped dove also did an excellent job. His beats are sophisticated to the last detail, imaginative, and original. The unique atmosphere of them simply breathes, yet they are not as chaotic as Fatboi’s albums usually are. We would even dare to write that behind all this evil we can find sometimes almost lilting music that will thrill many listeners. Each beat is different, yet the whole album holds together, and nothing will disturb you. The fact that there is not a single guest on the album helps with the final experience. Fatboi Sharif and steel tipped dove have created an album that will fascinate for decades to come. Excellent work.
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99. RU$H & Mike Shabb – MONCLER BOYZ
As part of our unique list, RU$H and Mike Shabb immerse you in the world of luxury with their latest release, MONCLER BOYZ. This record is not only Don Fendi’s collaborative project with the Montreal legend but also RU$H’s birthday surprise, featuring guest appearances from other hip-hop icons like Tha God Fahim, Big Cheeko, Jay Nice, and ROCXNOIR. Freako Rico’s cover only underscores the visual magic of this album. The talented Mike Shabb took care of the complete production. MONCLER BOYZ is a magnificent piece of art that has taken its place in the hearts of fans. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the full album.
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98. AKTHESAVIOR – Tracing Patterns
AKTHESAVIOR is not only a talented rapper but also a painter. You can see his breathtaking artwork on Instagram, for example. His flair for the visual arts can also be found in his music, which he approaches in the same way as his canvases. And it’s on his album, Tracing Patterns, that he brings his visual and musical art together in the tightest way yet. As the album’s intro, which is punctuated by the sounds of spray and sirens, will tell you, the rapper chose to reflect on his actions and follow patterns to find the source of his pain and trauma. He has embraced his imperfections but is constantly striving to improve and push himself. And that’s exactly what the record is. AKTHESAVIOR is completely open and vulnerable in his lyrics, yet immeasurably determined and hungry. He’s not afraid to confront his pain and trauma, but he’s always looking for the cause and the solution.
The songs themselves have an atmosphere reminiscent of colorful paintings, which will warm you up and stimulate your inner creativity. A lot of this is due to the excellent producers Trevor Wright, zoomo, Animoss, Chuck Strangers, and GRAYMATTER. Each and every one of them has delivered excellent beats that fit perfectly into the concept of the album. We hope that you find Tracing Patterns as therapeutic as the rapper himself and that the record will bring you a lot of new ideas.
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97. Ovrkast. – RESET!
Ovrkast. is an artist we noticed when he released his first album, Try Again (2020), which really won us over. The second record, however, was long out of sight, with the rapper only releasing a couple of singles. But that has changed, and now he brings his RESET!. Ovrkast. describes the process of creating the aforementioned project as the most vivid yet. It has been a very long, tedious, yet exciting journey for him. RESET! is a new beginning that is as refreshing as washing your face with cold water in the morning. We firmly believe that the record has enriched his life as much as it has enriched the culture, and more projects will come after smaller breaks.
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96. Tree Mason & Spanish Ran – A.NY Ghetto U.S.A
This duo has already had several collaborations, and we are not afraid to say that the A.NY Ghetto U.S.A album is definitely one of the best. Spanish Ran has proven to almost everyone over the years that his productions are second to none. Tree Mason floats his beats with complete expertise; he’s a totally complex rapper who has well-thought-out punchlines, elaborate storytelling, and the right rap essence. The album features a guest appearance from Bloo Azul only.
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95. CJ Fly & Stoic – PIRANHA
CJ Fly and Stoic released PIRANHA last year and immediately hit us with their musical synergy. Stoic, with his masterful sampling and engaging beats, along with CJ Fly’s lyrical performance, has created an album that is not only commendable but also a great listening adventure. CJ Fly constantly switches his flows, which adds to the overall dynamic of the album. The lyrics are solid and left us with the feeling that we needed to hear the album over and over again. PIRANHA is a short and consistent album that gracefully places itself among last year’s hip-hop gems. Together, CJ Fly and Stoic have created a sonic symbiosis that has us looking forward to their future collaborations. For CJ Fly, this is another gem in his consistent repertoire that deserves more attention in the music scene.
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94. The Hidden Character & Grubby Pawz – HOOD ALCHEMY
Grubby Pawz is one of the best producers working today. The Boston magician has played a huge part in co-creating the new wave of rap that has been coming out of Massachusetts for several years now, and we’re devouring it every day. In recent years, he has teamed up with some of the leading rappers of said wave, such as al.divino, BoriRock and Estee Nack. Last year he added another gem to his discography. ???, aka The Hidden Character, jumped on his hard beats and conquered each one with a cadence all his own. The Hidden Character is the epitome of evil; once he holds the mic, you have no choice but to marvel at his street stories. Of course, the album features the aforementioned talents like Divino, Nack, and BoriRock, and there’s no shortage of Bub Styles and Pro Dillinger. This Hood Alchemy is one you won’t soon forget.
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93. Sha Hef & Nicholas Craven – Shark Tank
On the uncompromising Shark Tank, rapper Sha Hef and producer Nicholas Craven joined forces to create an explosive combination of dark beats and gritty lyrics. In his signature style, Sha Hef draws the listener into a world of tough reality where he has had to struggle and work hard to achieve success. On the album, he reflects on his journey to success and gives thanks for all he has achieved through his own strength. The lyrics rawly depict street life and the uncompromising paths to success. #FREEHEF.
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92. Aasir & zoomo – The Policy
The Policy is a very laid-back project; Aasir sounds hugely confident and delivers an interesting rap every minute. The rapper has a pretty unique line flow that lends a face to the whole record. There isn’t a single guest on the project, which enhances the final enjoyment and makes you feel the chemistry between the two artists. zoomo of course, cooked up some great beats that have amazing vocal samples, properly chosen percussion, and other instrumentals. The beats are simply brilliant. The album will be a good choice for any situation where you want to put music in your ears and let yourself drift away. We only hope to hear more from Aasir, and we also wouldn’t mind at all if we saw a sequel to this collaboration.
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91. tau – atlas dilemma
atlas dilemma by rapper tau is a deep dive into the heart of human emotions and existential questions. tau creates a poetic image full of introspection and melancholy, blending his lyrics with energy and a sense of bleakness. The compositions paint a surreal picture, where the lyrics bow to spacelessness and time. The rapper is not afraid to confront the darker sides of human existence; the verses mirror the search for the meaning of life and the fear of failure, creating a compelling concept throughout the album. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the whole album.
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